Curating Your Wardrobe

Tuesday I was talking about curating in general and how you can use that practice to really make a difference in your home. But curating applies to other areas of your life, like your wardrobe for example.

Around the end of February, I start dreaming about cute outfits that don’t involve heavy sweaters or boots. Spring and summer are on my mind and I begin to think about the one color that will be my inspiration for the season. This year, I’m into yellow. Well, I can DREAM of all these cute things, right? (Sources listed at the bottom of this post).

So when I start thinking about my season’s color, I start noticing it all around and taking little mental notes of what I love. My plan is to buy a handful of new things in that color to mix in with what I already have. Usually a new top, maybe a couple of tanks, some sandals, a piece of jewelry, and if I can find a steal, a cute new clutch or tote.

By doing this wardrobe curation, I’m bringing together a collection that will work and make sense – the old with the new, giving me lots of mix and match options.

To get started, I recommend going through your closet and dresser drawers. Move your fall and winter pieces aside and place your spring and summer pieces in the most prominent space. Do you have flowery tops and need a new pair of stripe or solid shorts or capris to balance them out? Would you wear yellow stripes with that navy blouse? Yes! What does that pink skirt need? How about a buttery yellow tank? Yes! And so on…

I think you’ll find in the process that you can also do some thinning of what you have on hand, and that’s good too. Because too much is too much. That leather purse you’ve been saving because it’s a name brand? Take it to a consignment shop, list it on ebay, or trade with a friend. Curation is all about letting go of what doesn’t work for you any more and putting together what does.

Tips:

Want to find lots of choices in your color? Go to your favorite websites and search for it, like I did here on Bodenusa.com with the search: yellow

Do you have a hard time putting colors together? Click around on your favorite websites or leaf through your favorite catalogs. You know all those cute shots? They were all carefully put together by great stylists and can be very inspiring.

Cute new pieces don’t need to be “new”. Check out your local vintage clothing and thrift shops for one-of-a-kind finds. Estate sales are also really great for vintage jewelry, dresses, and blouses. Just remember, only buy what works for your collection, not items that you’re only buying because they’re a great deal. I promise, you’ll never wear it.

. . . .

Tomorrow I’m going to be talking about the one and only Farm Chicks Antiques Show and the curation that takes place there. Yippeeeeee!!

Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Image by Heather Bullard

About Author

Serena

Serena bounced through the early years of her life in a hippie gypsy wagon, hand-built by her father, wandering the back roads of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Her parent's frugal, yet creative style inspired Serena greatly.
In 2002, as a mom of four young boys, Serena dreamed of taking her inspiration and creating a fun and happy little antiques sale. That October, she and some friends held the first sale in her neighbor's barn. The sale became wildly popular and began attracting visitors from across the country. Today the show fills the Spokane County Fairgrounds, features nearly 300 curated spaces, and Serena proudly describes it as "The happiest antiques show on earth".
Serena's Farm Chick Style can be found periodically in the pages of Country Living Magazine, as well as her books: "The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen" and "The Farm Chicks Christmas".

Comments

By Betsy

Will definitely start curating my wardrobe now! I have three young children (6 yrs, 3 yrs, and 4 mos) and look forward to the day when I feel as great (and well rested) as you look in the last pic! Glowing and what lovely hair! Love your blog.